LANSING, Mich., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ AIDS and cancer patient Peter
McWilliams hopes a judge will let him fight to set a legal precedent for
the medical use of marijuana in Michigan.

Judge Tina Green is expected to rule at a hearing on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
whether McWilliams can fight a marijuana possession charge because the drug
is essential to his medical treatment. Judge Green is the chief judge of
the 34th District Court located at the corner of Wayne and Goddard roads in
Romulus.

"Medical marijuana keeps down the pills that are keeping me alive,"
McWilliams said.

McWilliams, who grew up in Allen Park, was arrested Dec. 17, 1996 at
Detroit Metropolitan Airport after a visit to his mother. Authorities
found he was carrying seven marijuana cigarettes and arrested him.

"I'm counting on Judge Green to give me the opportunity to fight this legal
battle for all patients whose lives could and should be improved through
the medical use of marijuana," McWilliams said. "This is something I must
do for the rights of all Michigan patients."

McWilliams' trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 21. A decision to allow the
medical marijuana defense could pave the way as a legal precedent for other
Michigan patients.

"We're prepared to go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if we have to,"
McWilliams said. "Michigan patients are entitled to ease their pain and
suffering through this natural plant proven safer than aspirin and
medically beneficial for many, many illnesses."

Marijuana has been proven to slow weight loss in AIDS patients and ease
nausea and other side effects caused by chemotherapy for cancer patients.

"I wouldn't be alive right now if I didn't use marijuana to keep me alive,"
McWilliams said. "It's definitely improved the quality of my life, and has
prolonged it immeasurably."

While a synthetic version of the drug, called Marinol, is available, it is
very expensive, difficult to obtain a prescription for and often makes
patients feel "too stoned."

"Peter McWilliams is a hero fighting for the rights of Michigan patients,"
said Richard Lustig, defense attorney. "He's not talking about
recreational use but rather an important natural treatment that improves
the remainder of his life."

The prosecuting attorney for Wayne County in this case is Assistant
Prosecutor Luke Skywalker. Michigan's Drug Czar, Darnell Jackson, stated
publicly that he and his department would "strenuously oppose" anyone
bringing medical marijuana to Michigan.

"I look forward to discussing medical marijuana at length with Drug Czar
Jackson in the media," McWilliams said.

McWilliams, 48, is the author of several best sellers including: "Life:
101, How to Survive the Loss of a Love" and "Ain't Nobody's Business If You
Do."